- You go to trial on behalf of your client, and win a hard fought victory: After a five-day jury trial, the jury returns a unanimous verdict in your client’s favor,
Liquidated Damages or Unenforceable Penalty?
Can Majority-Authorized Action Still Breach Fiduciary Duty?
When an LLC operating agreement permits action upon majority consent, can a minority member nonetheless challenge that action as a breach of the majority’s fiduciary duties? The Fourth Department weighs in.
Continue Reading Can Majority-Authorized Action Still Breach Fiduciary Duty?
First Department Upholds Minority’s Unilateral Termination of Majority-Appointed CEO Over Majority’s Objections
Can a three-person minority outvote a four-person majority to oust the majority-appointed, longtime CEO of a profitable company (who also happens to be the founder of the company) in a vote requiring supermajority approval?
The math ain’t mathing, you may be saying to yourself.
But today, we explore a case—SJI Renewable Entery Ventures LLC,
Hop Farmers Face Membership Forfeiture as a Deadlock Breaker and a Bitter Lesson on Pleading Shortcuts
The Appellate Division, Second Department delivered last week a fascinating case pitting a deadlock-based LLC dissolution petition against an equity forfeiture provision in the parties’ operating agreement. Add to that a bracing reminder that lazy pleadings and procedural missteps in special proceedings can be outcome-determinative, and Ribeiro v Libutti, 2025 NY Slip Op 06865 (2d Dept Dec. 10, 2025), becomes a cautionary tale for business owners and litigators alike.
Swing of the Pendulum: A Tale of Two “For Cause” Removals
Strict compliance with contractual conditions precedent, yea or nay? In New York, it depends.
Now, the general rule is that strict compliance with contractual conditions precedent is required. The New York Court of Appeals has previously held: “Express conditions must be literally performed, substantial performance will not suffice” (MHR Capital Partners LP v Presstek,
Second Department Ends Sisters’ Fight Over Family Home Not With a Bang, But a Whimper
Four sisters. One house. Who owns it?
Today’s case delves into a thorny situation many closely-held family businesses struggle with—proving ownership.
It’s no secret that many closely-held family business do not comply with corporate formalities. In the absence of such formalities, it can be difficult to demonstrate ownership without stock certificates in hand, or other
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Shareholder Agreement’s “Except as Otherwise Set Forth Herein” Hands Control of Famed Restaurant to Minority Shareholders
“Except as otherwise set forth herein” is a common proviso in agreements of all sorts. It can provide clarity. It also can cause dispute, as in the case highlighted in this post.
Court of Appeals Again Bolsters Internal Affairs Doctrine, This Time Clipping Derivative Suits Brought on Behalf of Foreign Corporations
What must a shareholder show to maintain a derivative action on behalf of a foreign corporation doing business in New York? This week’s post unpacks the Court of Appeals’ emphatic reaffirmation of the internal affairs doctrine.
The Humble LLC Exculpation Clause Wins Big: Member/CEO Escapes $8M Fiduciary Claims
Section 417 of New York’s LLC Law permits the members to eliminate their fiduciary duties, but only in very narrow circumstances. This week’s post shows how the seemingly toothless provision can carry the day.
Continue Reading The Humble LLC Exculpation Clause Wins Big: Member/CEO Escapes $8M Fiduciary Claims
Retirement of Working Owners of Closely Held Business Entities: What’s Your Plan?
Did a 25% shareholder forfeit her equity in an entertainment industry management company when she announced her intention to retire? Learn the answer in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Retirement of Working Owners of Closely Held Business Entities: What’s Your Plan?